College of Continuing Education News

Bronx arts teacher uses fellowship for inspirational courses and is "surrounded by brilliant and creative people."

Television and textiles may seem far apart on the artistic spectrum, but New York City artist and educator Linda Stern has had a successful career that spans both disciplines.

A 2010 recipient of a Surdna Arts Teachers Fellowship, Stern chose to study at the Split Rock Arts Program this past summer, taking Digital Designs for Printed Textiles with Michael James, as well as Digital Nature Photography with Craig Blacklock.

Stern, one of only 15 teachers nationwide selected to receive the fellowship, began her career doing on-air graphics for television, including ABC Sports. Seven years ago, she transitioned to teaching art full-time, while pursuing her own visual arts projects in her home studio. Currently, she teaches drawing and painting, graphic design, and digital photography at the Bronx High School for Visual Arts (BHSVA).

A scholarship opportunity combined with consistent focus ensures that doors keep opening for CCE student.

Jane Elizabeth Jones has two strong passions: health care and children. She knew it even when she was young. As a teenager, Jones knew she wanted to work in the medical field. She went on to pursue and combine her passions when she became a psychiatric and mental health nurse specializing in working with children. Her commitment to family and to her work with children have helped to shape who she is as a person, and what she intends to do with her life. Now, with her own family to consider, Jones is using the College of Continuing Education to take the next step.

Even with a strong mental focus, Jones' path to her current success has been a struggle. She moved to the Twin Cities from Memphis 11 years ago, and after dealing with some tough personal losses, she felt like the bottom had fallen out. With three kids to care for, Jones made a commitment that can strain anyone with a family-first focus: she was going back to school.

Classroom work is career relevant for Master of Biological Science student Stephanie Fettig-Scholl.

Naturally inquisitive and driven to ask "why?", Stephanie Fettig-Scholl always knew that a degree in the sciences would be the perfect fit for her.

"Science intrigues me; it keeps me interested. There's always a new avenue, something different to explore every day. It's never the same," says Fettig-Scholl, a current student in the College of Continuing Education's Master of Biological Science (MBS) degree program.

As an undergraduate at Denison University in Ohio, Fettig-Scholl studied biology and neuroscience, two fields which prepared her for a career in one of the fastest-growing industries in today's economy: medical device technology.

Following graduation, Fettig-Scholl moved back to her native Minnesota to accept a job with Synovis, a Twin Cities-based company specializing in tissue technology and innovative surgical tools. A research and design specialist, she plays a key role in the development of the company's line of biological repair patches. "My work focuses on treating bovine pericardium [a particular type of heart tissue] to make implantable biomaterial devices--surgeons then use the patches in a variety of situations including hernia and vascular repair."

Crafting experiments, studies, and trials in such a rapidly developing field inspired Fettig-Scholl to return to school to get her master's degree in 2008.While she knew she wanted to continue her education, she wasn't exactly sure what path she would take.

Off-campus courses offer professional development opportunities closer to home for some Minnesotans.

The Ridgedale Library is only a 10-minute drive from Greg Soule's home in Maple Grove. So when Soule (shown), a technology project manager for Hennepin County, decided to earn a Project Management Certificate, it made sense to enroll in courses offered at the library through the College of Continuing Education.

"The courses were taught by the same instructors and were of the same high quality as those offered on campus," Soule says. "The only difference was that I didn't have to drive to St. Paul. I enjoyed being able to take University courses at a convenient time and place, in the relaxing environment of the library."

After a six-year hiatus from her career, Mini Antony was ready to go back to work. Taking the HR Certification Test Prep online course gave her the boost she needed.

Last fall, when Mini Antony enrolled in the online HR Certification Test Prep course offered by the College of Continuing Education, she knew what to expect: high-quality teaching, excellent materials, and timely feedback.

"I had taken a course with the instructor, Larry Morgan, several years before, and I learned a lot," she says. "After that, we stayed in touch, and he became a kind of mentor for me. So I was only too happy to sign up for another course."

As a management consultant in her native India, she had focused on human resources. Then she married, moved to the U.S., had a child, and took a six-year career hiatus. By 2009, she was ready to return to work.

"My previous experience was process-oriented. I was unfamiliar with aspects of American HR practice, such as labor relations, risk and safety, and compliance issues," she says. "The course not only prepared me for the test, but it familiarized me with these areas."